BETHEL — In order to provide exhibits, programs, events and publications that make the region’s history meaningful, accessible and enjoyable, the Bethel Historical Society actively seeks grants and foundation support on a regular basis. Recently, a $500 grant was received from Franklin County Savings Bank for the installation of additional interior storm windows at the Society’s Robinson House.

In addition, the society received a $1,500 grant from the Sunday River Charitable Fund of the Maine Community Foundation in support of  general operations.

The months of June and July will be a busy time at the society’s Museum of Regional History on Broad Street.

On June 20, the annual Hall Memorial Lecture will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the exhibit hall of the Dr. Moses Mason House. Eben Miller, history/honors program coordinator at Southern Maine Community College, will present “Nelson Dingley Jr.’s Daily Evening Journal: A View of the Northern Civil War Home Front, 1861-1863.”

Launched during the outbreak of the Civil War, in April 1861, the Lewiston Daily Evening Journal offers a unique view of the Northern home front. Published by a young Republican (future Maine governor Nelson Dingley Jr.) the Journal demonstrates how Mainers responded to the crisis, from the swift mobilization of regimental units to widespread displays of patriotism.

This lecture will draw from the Journal to explore the extent to which the experiences in Lewiston, and in Maine more generally, were emblematic of the Northern home front during the first years of the Civil War, paying special attention to soldiers’ news from the war front, expressions of Unionism, economic and cultural developments, and the evolution of emancipation as a wartime policy.

This program is part of the society’s 2013 lecture series, “Trails, Trials and Tourism: Capturing the Maine Experience,” which is supported, in part, by a grant from the Maine Humanities Council. The subject of this year’s lecture has also been selected to coincide with the society’s participation in the Maine Civil War Trail. Visit mainecivilwartrail.org/home for more information.

Regular summer season guided tours of the Dr. Moses Mason House will begin on July 2 and continue through Aug. 31. The house will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. A small fee is charged for the tour, which includes nine period rooms and usually lasts about 30 minutes. Special family rates are available and children under 6 tour free.

On Tuesday, July 2, the society will commemorate the 200thth birthday of the Mason House with a short program, “200 Years a Landmark: Celebrating the Dr. Moses Mason House.” The program will take place at 1:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

The annual Fourth of July Community Picnic & Concert will begin at 11:30 a.m. on the side lawn of the Dr. Moses Mason House, 14 Broad St. Following the presentation of colors and the National Anthem, Matt Ruby, head of school at Gould Academy, will speak briefly. The Portland Brass Quintet will present a free two-hour concert.